Wilderness.org - veteranshttp://wilderness.org/tags/veterans
enObama to expand solar industry while supporting veterans with jobshttp://wilderness.org/blog/obama-expand-solar-industry-while-supporting-veterans-jobs
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Apr 3, 2015</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/bios/staff/mason-cummings">Mason Cummings</a></div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/Energy_RandyMontoya-SandiaLabs-flickr_R_140214_01_1.jpg?itok=fpHub2HX" width="500" height="334" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-media-description field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>Solar energy farm.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-credit field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>Randy Montoya, Sandia Labs, flickr.</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The new Solar Ready Vets program will advance the solar industry while providing jobs to thousands of veterans around the country.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>President Obama announced a new program on April 3 that will advance the <a href="/node/108282">fight against climate change</a> while creating thousands of new jobs&mdash;largely for veterans.</p>
<p>The program, called Solar Ready Vets, is expected to train 75,000 people to enter the solar industry workforce by 2020, with a specific focus on bringing more veterans into the industry.</p>
<p>The Department of Energy, in partnership with the Department of Defense, will be launching the program at 10 military bases around the country, including Hill Air Force Base in Utah, Camp Pendleton in California, Fort Carson in Colorado and others. The program is tailored to the needs of fast-growing solar employers, and builds on the technician skills that many veterans have acquired during service.</p>
<p>The Wilderness Society supports this initiative because it takes an important step toward securing a clean energy future, ensuring that our environment and economies stay healthy.</p>
<h2><strong>Building on recent progress</strong></h2>
<p>The administration has already taken a number of actions to promote investment in clean energy sources around the country to help combat <a href="http://wilderness.org/climate%20change">climate change</a>. These developments have set the United States on course to meet our goals of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 26-28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025.</p>
<p>Since President Obama took office, solar electricity generation has increased 20 fold, and the solar industry is adding jobs at a rate 10 times faster than the rest of the economy.</p>
<p>Since 2013, the price of commercial and residential solar has decreased by 12 percent, driving more Americans to install solar panels on their homes and businesses while creating thousands of jobs in the process. Additional jobs have also been created through large-scale renewable energy developments on public lands.</p>
<h2><strong>Guiding solar development to smart places </strong></h2>
<p>Public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management have played an important role in securing a clean energy future. More than 50 large-scale projects have been approved since President Obama took office and major efforts are underway to plan for responsible development on public lands.</p>
<p>As these efforts continue to progress, it will become even more important to <a href="http://wilderness.org/article/smart-solar">guide solar development</a> to the right places by focusing development on low conflict areas&mdash;places that provide great solar resources without harming wildlands or sensitive wildlife habitat. Responsible development should seek to minimize negative impacts to wild places.</p>
<p>Focusing on developing large-scale energy projects in the right places in the right ways will be key to the success of these projects.</p>
<h2><a href="http://wilderness.org/article/finding-smart-places"><strong>Learn more about finding smart places for renewable energy development</strong></a></h2>
</div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_related field-group-div group-related speed-fast effect-none"><h2><span>Related Content</span></h2><div class="field field-name-field-related-content field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/renewable-energy-and-climate-change"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/Nicola%20Jones_FLickr-2.jpg?itok=F5LSMCcB" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Renewable energy will help in the fight against climate change. </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Clean energy sources, like wind and solar, can help our country move away from dirty, polluting sources of energy that impact the climate. </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/renewable-energy-and-climate-change">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article even article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/finding-smart-places"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/slide_images/4815589014_d8354bd020_o-2.jpg?itok=o6d7ixPc" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Guiding development to smarter places </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">When we work to guide renewable energy development to the most appropriate places, we can avoid damaging sensitive wildlands and wildlife habitat. </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/finding-smart-places">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:32:21 +0000Mason Cummings108548 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/blog/obama-expand-solar-industry-while-supporting-veterans-jobs#commentsCombat Veterans find healing in the Colorado wildernesshttp://wilderness.org/blog/combat-veterans-find-healing-colorado-wilderness
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Feb 11, 2015</div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/Marine15thMEU.WikiCommons.jpg?itok=GkWNI_xF" width="500" height="328" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-media-description field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>Up to 20 percent of vets who served in Iraq and Afghanistan develop PTSD, according to the <a href="http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/basics/how-common-is-ptsd.asp">Department of Veterans Affairs</a>.&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-credit field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>Wiki Commons</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">A guest blog by Paul Andersen</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p><em>Paul Andersen is a journalist, book author, historian and facilitator. He is founder and executive director of Huts For Vets </em><em>based in Aspen, Colorado.</em></p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image media-image-right" height="180" style="width: 180px; height: 180px; float: right; margin: 8px;" width="180" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/Paul%20Andersen_1.jpg?itok=j6I3LDCf" /></p>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<hr />
<p>&ldquo;You guys saved my life.&rdquo;</p>
<p>These words spilled out of an Iraq combat veteran, a 6-foot-two Marine named Dan. His voice shook with emotion and tears flooded his eyes as he described his experience from a wilderness &ldquo;solo&rdquo; during a <a href="http://www.hutsforvets.org" target="_blank">Huts For Vets</a> trip in September 2013.</p>
<p>The setting was Sawmill Park, a grassy meadow in the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness surrounded by an evergreen forest and a stunning view of the Elk Range. We had stopped for solo reflections, each man wandering into the woods for solitude and shelter as light rain pattered against our jackets.</p>
<p>Dan emerged from the forest halfway through the solos and stood in the middle of the meadow, his gaze on the distant peaks. &ldquo;When I was on the solo,&rdquo; he said later, &ldquo;I was more scared than I have ever been in my life. In the middle of that meadow I suddenly felt safe because you men were all around me. I felt protected and no longer alone.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Facing inner demons leaves many vets quaking with unease, but time in wilderness, especially with other vets, can help lend strength to their struggle. With that in mind, Huts For Vets was founded in Aspen in January 2013.</p>
<p>Our mission is to take small groups of combat veterans into the wilderness and offer &ndash; at no cost &ndash; a perspective shift by removing them from the tumult of life and providing a safe and beautiful place where they may find the courage to feel again.</p>
<h3><strong>Using nature for healing and respite </strong></h3>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image media-image-left" height="304" style="width: 480px; height: 304px; float: left; margin: 8px;" width="480" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Margy%27s%20Hut.jpg?itok=goCspwhw" /></p>
<p><em>Vets bond at a 10th Mountain Division Hut. Photo courtesy of Paul Andersen</em>.</p>
<p>Dan&rsquo;s experience was his own, but it is not uncommon. Another vet in the program, an Army sergeant named Chris, described his challenges:</p>
<p>&ldquo;Since my return from deployment almost seven years ago I was searching and grasping for something that made me feel human again. My savior has been the opportunity to work in the outdoors and wilderness areas that we are blessed with. My mind slowly begins to slow down and my anxiousness and anger tends to subside when I am at one with nature.&rdquo;</p>
<p>There are tens of thousands of men and women who seek the same experience, veterans who are lost in their reentry to civilian life, adrift without their military mission, alone without their comrades-at-arms.</p>
<p>A Huts For Vets applicant put it like this: &ldquo;I want to be able to find coping mechanisms and enjoyment in things I used to do. I want to be around people going through some of the same issues I am.&rdquo;</p>
<h3><strong>Warriors for Wilderness</strong></h3>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="324" width="480" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Mt.%20Yeckel_0.jpg?itok=7aY_FaAl" /></p>
<p><em>A group of Huts for Vets participants on Mount Yeckel, Colorado. Photo courtesy of Paul Andersen</em>.</p>
<p>With wilderness as the setting, Huts For Vets offers an antidote to angst and alienation for veterans, a soothing respite from the uncertainty of life, and a workable alternative to the current statistic of 23 suicides per day among veterans.</p>
<p>With two nights at Margy&rsquo;s Hut at 11,300 feet &ndash; the 10th Mountain Hut built by former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara &ndash; veterans share an intimate, communal experience and a deep expression of joy.</p>
<p>Just being in the lush Colorado wilderness &ndash; a place where there are few visual triggers to unleash haunting memories of convoys, IEDs, and combat &ndash; is helpful in providing respite from hypervigilance and intrusive thoughts that can proliferate in urban settings.</p>
<p>Huts For Vets knows the value of our veterans. We also know the value of wild places for helping them reaffirm their humanity.</p>
<p>Identifying wilderness as a place for national healing adds even greater legitimacy to the idea of conserving more wild lands. And there will be no stronger advocates for conservation than those veterans who have found peace and healing there.</p>
<h3><strong>Video</strong>: Why Huts for Vets matters</h3>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z-26mRaCZZY" width="560"></iframe></p>
<h3><strong>Know someone who could benefit from this program? </strong></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.hutsforvets.org" target="_blank">Huts for Vets</a> is seeking candidates to their programs starting in summer 2015.&nbsp; If you are a combat veteran, or know someone who is, please go to their web site to download an application.</p>
<p><strong>Contact:</strong> <a href="http://www.hutsforvets.org">www.hutsforvets.org</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>More on this issue: </strong></p>
<p style="margin-left: 80px;"><a href="/node/108065">Veterans write to &quot;control the memory&quot; in outdoor workshop</a></p>
<p style="margin-left: 80px;"><a href="/node/107694">Veterans want to protect the lands that help them heal.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_related field-group-div group-related speed-fast effect-none"><h2><span>Related Content</span></h2><div class="field field-name-field-related-content field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/why-protect-wilderness"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/willamettenationalforest-Joey-Levato-USFS.jpg?itok=mGk-EGFX" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">What is wilderness and why does it need to be protected? </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Since the Wilderness Act passed in 1964, Congress has designated nearly 110 million acres of federal wildlands as official wilderness.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/why-protect-wilderness">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted even article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/what-wilderness"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/Roaring-plains-west-wilderness-west-virginia-Jonathan-Jessup.jpg?itok=NJdNnmxT" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">What is considered &quot;wilderness&quot;?</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Today, about 235 million acres of federal wildlands have been permanently protected as wilderness, parks, refuges or other protected areas. But that’s only a third of our public lands.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/what-wilderness">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/insider-tips-quiet-moments"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/woman-hiker-EagleCreekTrail-Oregon-lalunablue77-Flickr.jpg?itok=eiNwMFbE" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Finding solitude in wilderness</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">While outdoor adrenaline adventures can be loads of fun, tranquil wilderness experiences afford the rare chance to appreciate nature on a deep level.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/insider-tips-quiet-moments">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wed, 11 Feb 2015 18:31:49 +0000Laura Bailey108471 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/blog/combat-veterans-find-healing-colorado-wilderness#commentsVeterans: Congress must fund vital conservation programhttp://wilderness.org/blog/veterans-congress-must-fund-vital-conservation-program
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Nov 22, 2014</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/bios/staff/max-greenberg">Max Greenberg</a></div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/IMG_20141119_112516_954.jpg?itok=xCWxSK_e" width="500" height="282" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-media-description field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>Veterans gather in Virginia&#39;s Prince William Forest Park to enjoy the outdoors and discuss the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-credit field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><em>Credit: Brandon Helm.</em></p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Veterans convened Nov. 19 to declare their support for public lands—and ask that Congress re-authorize a program responsible for protecting some of our most iconic natural landmarks.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>Retired generals, veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary Mike Connor gathered at Virginia&rsquo;s Prince William Forest Park to enjoy the outdoors and discuss the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a conservation program that uses fees from offshore energy development to preserve local and national parks and other places<span style="color: rgb(84, 84, 84); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">&mdash;</span>and whose funding needs have not been met by lawmakers in recent years.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Veterans have a long history of serving as stewards of our national parks, dating back to the Civil War. Helping to protect these places provides a renewed sense of mission, and a legacy for my son and future generations,&rdquo; said Garett Reppenhagen, a U.S. Army infantry veteran who served as a cavalry scout sniper in Kosovo and Iraq and now works for the non-profit <a href="http://www.vetvoicefoundation.org/" target="_blank">Vet Voice Foundation</a>. &ldquo;I urge this and the new Congress to act to conserve our American public lands.&rdquo;</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="1836" style="width: 500px; height: 281px;" width="3264" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/IMG_20141119_115154_296.jpg" /></p>
<p><em>Veterans&nbsp;received fly casting lessons from local guides and Trout Unlimited staff. Credit: Brandon Helm.</em></p>
<p>For veterans, the issue has special significance. <a href="http://wilderness.org/blog/veterans-want-protect-public-lands-help-them-heal" target="_blank">Nature has often been used as a safe haven</a> by those returning from war, and <a href="http://wilderness.org/blog/veterans-find-healing-wilderness" target="_blank">research suggests that outdoor recreation may even help treat post-traumatic stress disorder</a>. A <a href="http://www.vetvoicefoundation.org/press?id=0054" target="_blank">Nov. 2013 survey</a> found that 75 percent of Western veterans who served in the U.S. military during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars favor the federal government protecting public lands. Similarly, 80 percent supported the concept behind the LWCF (which helped protect this very park).</p>
<p>&ldquo;These veterans&rsquo; stories speak to the power and importance of our public lands in in a way that politicians or activists cannot capture,&rdquo; said Brandon Helm, LWCF campaign coordinator at The Wilderness Society, who attended the event. &ldquo;Wild, natural places played a vital role in the recovery process of many of our guests. It is only fitting that they stand up for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has been so instrumental in expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Advocating for a 50-year-old promise</h2>
<p>In 1964, <a href="http://wilderness.org/land-and-water-conservation-fund-another-big-50th-anniversary-vital-conservation-law" target="_blank">Congress passed the LWCF and President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law</a>, setting the framework to preserve over 5 million acres (and counting) of irreplaceable land from coast to coast. &nbsp;Over the past 50 years, many of our communities have been shaped by this law in ways we probably don&rsquo;t even recognize, whether by the maintenance of a running trail or the preservation of a historic battlefield. It has bolstered our natural heritage in innumerable ways, all without receiving taxpayer money. In fact, an analysis of the return-on-investment from LWCF funds found that <a href="http://lwcfcoalition.org/files/LWCF_ROI_1_pager_Revised%2011%2024%2010.pdf" target="_blank">every $1 invested yielded $4 in economic value</a>.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, preventing the LWCF&rsquo;s funds from being siphoned away has become a perennial struggle; more than $18 billion <a href="http://wilderness.org/blog/report-illustrates-deep-cuts-conservation-programs" target="_blank">has been diverted from the LWCF trust fund by Congress</a> over the course of the program&rsquo;s life, and in the last year, nearly $600 million was routed away from it, leaving many projects unfinished. LWCF funding levels have approached the amount authorized in the original legislation only twice, and it is set to expire in 2015 without immediate action from Congress. The message from these veterans was loud and clear: it&rsquo;s time to reverse the recent trend and fully support our public lands.</p>
<p><strong>See also:</strong></p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="http://wilderness.org/land-and-water-conservation-fund-another-big-50th-anniversary-vital-conservation-law">The Land and Water Conservation Fund</a></h3>
</div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_related field-group-div group-related speed-fast effect-none"><h2><span>Related Content</span></h2><div class="field field-name-field-related-content field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted even article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/land-and-water-conservation-fund"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/recreation--kayaking-WC.jpg?itok=bbj61RKH" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Learn more about the Land and Water Conservation Fund</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been America&#039;s most important conservation funding tool for nearly 50 years.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/land-and-water-conservation-fund">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/what-wilderness"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/Roaring-plains-west-wilderness-west-virginia-Jonathan-Jessup.jpg?itok=NJdNnmxT" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">What is considered &quot;wilderness&quot;?</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Today, about 235 million acres of federal wildlands have been permanently protected as wilderness, parks, refuges or other protected areas. But that’s only a third of our public lands.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/what-wilderness">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted even article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/why-conservation-funding"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/mount-hood-from-lost-lake-oregon-istock-web-rdy.jpg?itok=OX2snFMH" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Why does conservation funding matter?</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">In many ways, conservation programs make our country unique and prosperous.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/why-conservation-funding">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sun, 23 Nov 2014 02:27:57 +0000Max Greenberg108349 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/blog/veterans-congress-must-fund-vital-conservation-program#commentsVideo: Veterans Day tribute showcases America’s public landshttp://wilderness.org/blog/video-veterans-day-tribute-showcases-america%E2%80%99s-public-lands
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Nov 10, 2014</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/bios/staff/max-greenberg">Max Greenberg</a></div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/VetDayDO%21Video1.jpg?itok=50-D1bs8" width="500" height="278" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-credit field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><em>Credit: Department of the Interior.</em></p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">A video from the Department of the Interior shares veterans’ photos from American public lands, a reminder of the healing role of these unique places.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>The Wilderness Society joins the Department of the Interior in thanking veterans past and present for sacrifices made in service of our country. For many veterans, American public lands have served as an invaluable balm--in Interior&rsquo;s words, places to &ldquo;recreate, recover and help restore body and mind.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Recently, the agency, which is tasked with managing our national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands, asked veterans and active-duty military to share photos from such places.</p>
<p>The video it produced using these submissions ranges from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite, featuring veterans from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Watch:</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eJaQ7-sHCcc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>This isn&rsquo;t your average post-vacation slideshow. Nature&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-the-darkness/201204/the-power-nature-ecotherapy-and-awakening" target="_blank">therapeutic value</a> is well documented, and research suggests that <a href="http://wilderness.org/node/107002" target="_blank">outdoor recreation may augment treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder</a> (PTSD), a <a href="http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/basics/how-common-is-ptsd.asp" target="_blank">condition that affects 10 to 20 percent of Iraq, Afghanistan, Gulf War and Vietnam veterans</a> (more than half of veterans assisted by the <a href="http://www.va.gov/" target="_blank">Department of Veterans Affairs</a> since 2002 <a href="http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_UpholdingThePromise_Carter_2.pdf" target="_blank">have been diagnosed with mental health issues like PTSD, depression and substance abuse</a>).</p>
<p>In some studies, veterans who participate in outdoor recreation <a href="http://www.sierraclub.org/military/downloads/Michigan-Final-Research-Report.pdf%20" target="_blank">even report significant improvements</a> in social functioning and life outlook. With so many in need, and traditional resources in high demand, it is incredibly important that we keep public lands protected and in good working shape as supplemental places to heal.</p>
<p>Working with national and regional groups, some veterans have emerged as <a href="http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/veterans-urge-daines-to-support-front-bill/article_96ca309c-c635-11e3-b62b-0019bb2963f4.html" target="_blank">prominent champions</a> of the conservation movement, joining the fight at a time when public lands are under relentless pressure from development and other threats. As we commemorate Veterans Day, we thank them for their service.</p>
<h2><a href="https://twitter.com/Interior/status/531111907353448448" target="_blank">In honor of Veterans Day, visit public lands near you free-of-charge</a></h2>
<h2><a href="http://wilderness.org/veterans-write-control-memory-outdoors-workshop-arizona" target="_blank">Read about The Wilderness Society&rsquo;s 2014 veterans&rsquo; writing workshop in Arizona&rsquo;s Dragoon Mountains&nbsp;</a></h2>
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<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/why"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/whywildernessgraphicheader.png?itok=T1xt1239" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Find out how wilderness is valuable to us all</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">As we become a more urbanized society with growing needs for space and energy, we often turn to wilderness as a resource. Yet, wilderness is not just a resource to be developed. It has many human, natural and economic benefits that we need to protect.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/why">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted even article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/what-wilderness"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/Roaring-plains-west-wilderness-west-virginia-Jonathan-Jessup.jpg?itok=NJdNnmxT" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">What is considered &quot;wilderness&quot;?</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Today, about 235 million acres of federal wildlands have been permanently protected as wilderness, parks, refuges or other protected areas. But that’s only a third of our public lands.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/what-wilderness">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/outdoor-recreation-faqs"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/kayakers.FWS_.jpg?itok=AJHu0kHJ" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Have questions about outdoor recreation?</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Learn more about outdoor recreation with our FAQs. </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/outdoor-recreation-faqs">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mon, 10 Nov 2014 19:12:05 +0000Max Greenberg108326 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/blog/video-veterans-day-tribute-showcases-america%E2%80%99s-public-lands#commentsIn this setting, vets can write what they feelhttp://wilderness.org/blog/setting-vets-can-write-what-they-feel
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jun 27, 2014</div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/Dragoons18.Arizona.MaxGreenberg.jpg?itok=s7QWIsSo" width="500" height="375" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-media-description field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>Veterans convened on the Coronado National Forest for a writing workshop in April 2014.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-credit field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><em>Credit: The Wilderness Society.</em></p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p><em>This op-ed, by The Wilderness Society&#39;s Arizona state director Mike Quigley and Veterans Writing Project founder Ron Capps,&nbsp;is <a href="http://www.stripes.com/opinion/in-this-setting-vets-can-write-what-they-feel-1.290593" target="_blank">cross-posted from Stars &amp; Stripes</a>. You can read a narrative account of the writing workshop <a href="/node/108065" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
<hr />
<p>When American servicemen and women serve our country, they are fighting to preserve our ideals, our freedoms and our collective heritage. Our American wilderness and protected public lands are an important part of that collective heritage. Indeed, veterans often report that it is the memory of a favorite trout stream, or desert hike, or mountain forest that keeps them centered and going while deployed and that these places help them reintegrate upon returning home.</p>
<p>Veterans often carry other memories &mdash; difficult, confusing, traumatic memories. Turning those memories into stories is a way of making sense of them, examining them, controlling them. American wilderness can facilitate the healing and storytelling processes.</p>
<p>Research shows that time spent in the natural environment helps us build resiliency and calmness. Studies also show that the arts can be a valuable therapeutic tool in controlling traumatic memories. We combined the two.</p>
<p>This past spring, the Veterans Writing Project and The Wilderness Society partnered to offer a veterans wilderness writing workshop in the beautiful wildlands of southern Arizona. The Veterans Writing Project provided instruction in the craft of writing &mdash; by veterans for veterans. The Wilderness Society provided the camp logistics and context. America&rsquo;s great outdoors provided the rest &mdash; literally making the space for creativity, learning and sharing to occur.</p>
<p>The values that wilderness provides us &mdash; quiet focus, connection to place, a resource of resiliency &mdash; can be particularly helpful to returning veterans and their families. There&rsquo;s a long history (see Earl Shaffer, Ernest Hemingway and Doug Peacock, among others) of veterans returning from combat and seeking solace and recovery in America&rsquo;s outdoors.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="270" style="width: 500px; height: 281px;" width="480" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Dragoons7.Arizona.MaxGreenberg.jpg?itok=0ER1DrVa" /></p>
<p><em>A view of the Dragoon Mountains. Credit: The Wilderness Society.</em></p>
<p>Twenty of us made camp in a grove of oak trees at the base of rugged granite cliffs in the Dragoon Mountains &mdash; across the San Pedro River from Fort Huachuca and a short drive from Tucson&rsquo;s Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. We were a range of Americans: men and women, younger and older, infantry vets from Vietnam, Air Force and Naval Academy graduates, soldiers and Marines who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Participants came from Arizona, of course, but also from California, Wyoming, Nevada and as far away as Iowa. On the Coronado National Forest we learned, we healed, we united. During the day we practiced the craft of writing and hiked the nearby hills; in the evenings we bonded with campfire talk. You can read a narrative about the weekend and see photos on&nbsp;<a href="http://wilderness.org/veterans-write-control-memory-outdoors-workshop-arizona" target="_blank">The Wilderness Society&rsquo;s website</a>.</p>
<p>There is a historic tradition of returning veterans telling their stories to the larger society at home. When Odysseus and his warriors returned from the Trojan War, their villages and towns convened to hear a report of what the war experience had been for those sent to fight. In this way, the society that sends its young men and women to battle gets a debriefing that informs its collective thinking and decision-making; the returning warriors get to tell their experiences &mdash; marking a reintegration and a sharing of the experience with their fellow citizens.</p>
<p>Throughout the weekend, staff and volunteers from The Wilderness Society heard stories &mdash; funny, courageous, powerful, some horrible &mdash; stories to which we might not otherwise have had access. America&rsquo;s wilderness and a campfire provide a perfect setting in which to share these stories &mdash; and through our natural heritage discover opportunities to learn, grow, and come together as Americans.</p>
<p>The Veterans Writing Project publishes a regular literary journal,&nbsp;<a href="http://o-dark-thirty.org/" target="_blank">O-Dark-Thirty</a>, where the essays, poems, narratives and other artwork created from the workshops are compiled and shared with publicly. The Wilderness Society is planning to expand the partnership with Veterans Writing Project and offer more of these outdoor experiences around the country. If you like what you see and want to be advised of future opportunities, please contact us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:vetinfo@tws.org">vetinfo@tws.org</a>.</p>
<p>In the meantime, remember that favorite trout stream, desert hike or mountain forest and be proud and comforted. Thanks to America&rsquo;s heritage of protected public lands &mdash; and your defense of them as an American servicemember &mdash; those wild places are still there. And they will be there for you when you need them.</p>
<p><em>Ron Capps is the founder of the Veterans Writing Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington. Mike Quigley is the Arizona state director for The Wilderness Society, based in Tucson.</em></p>
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<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/why"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/whywildernessgraphicheader.png?itok=T1xt1239" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Find out how wilderness is valuable to us all</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">As we become a more urbanized society with growing needs for space and energy, we often turn to wilderness as a resource. Yet, wilderness is not just a resource to be developed. It has many human, natural and economic benefits that we need to protect.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/why">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-page odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2><a href="/veterans-write-control-memory-outdoors-workshop-arizona">Veterans write to “control the memory” in outdoors workshop</a></h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p><img alt="" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/Dragoons26.VeteransB.Arizona.KateMackay.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 459px; margin: 5px 15px; float: right;" /></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/veterans-write-control-memory-outdoors-workshop-arizona">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted even article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/why-greater-grand-canyon-and-arizona-strip"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/grand-canyon-paul-fundenburg-flickr.jpg?itok=Vs9WpUKt" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Why we work in the Grand Canyon</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic wild places in the nation.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/why-greater-grand-canyon-and-arizona-strip">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:07:19 +0000Max Greenberg108092 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/blog/setting-vets-can-write-what-they-feel#commentsPublic-Private Effort Launches 50 Conservation Jobs Projects for Youth and Vets to Honor 50th Anniversary of Wilderness Act http://wilderness.org/press-release/public-private-effort-launches-50-conservation-jobs-projects-youth-and-vets-honor-50th
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-release-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-06-20T10:15:00-04:00">Jun 20, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Washington</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Conservation corps employ youth and veterans in 25 states and DC to serve as stewards of public lands</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>Fifty conservation projects in 50 wild places throughout the U.S. will be completed this year to celebrate the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Wilderness Act and to celebrate the launch of the 21<sup>st</sup> Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC).&nbsp; <a href="http://www.wilderness.org/">The Wilderness Society</a> and the <a href="http://21csc.org/">Partnership for the 21<sup>st</sup> Century Conservation Corps</a> are coordinating this effort.</p>
<p>The Fifty for the 50<sup>th</sup> Campaign, through the 21<sup>st</sup> Century Conservation Service Corps, will employ young people and veterans on our public lands and waterways, such as those managed by the US Forest Service, US Department of the Interior, and state, local and tribal lands.&nbsp; Projects involve work such as trail building, repairs and other improvements to preserve the areas&rsquo; natural qualities and ensure access by visitors.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Locations of the projects include designated wilderness in remote areas and also prospective wilderness areas such as Whitefish Trail in Montana&rsquo;s Flathead National Forest and Turkey Pen Gap Trail in the Big Laurel Branch area of Tennessee.&nbsp; Other projects are in more urban &ldquo;backyard wild places&rdquo; such as Bladensburg Waterfront Park, just outside of Washington, DC and Candlestick Point State Park in San Francisco. &nbsp;</p>
<p>When completed, the Fifty for the 50th projects will have improved or restored more than 40,000 acres, built 887 miles of trails, planted 325 acres of trees on public lands and corps members will have spent nearly 200,000 hours working on our public lands and waters. See a map and description of the projects at <a href="http://www.wilderness.org/50-50th">www.wilderness.org/50-50th</a>.</p>
<p>&ldquo;In 1964, Americans made a big commitment to the preservation of their public lands by passing the Wilderness Act,&rdquo; said Jamie Williams, President of The Wilderness Society.&nbsp; &ldquo;As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of this historic law, we are recommitting ourselves to fulfilling our responsibility to care for America&rsquo;s public lands. Fortunately, we have a strong and vibrant community of conservation corps working with us to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy wild places.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Every year, conservation corps employ nearly 30,000 young people, restoring millions of acres of wild places, building tens of thousands of miles of trails and planting millions of trees,&rdquo; said Harry Bruell, Co-Chair of the Partnership for the 21<sup>st</sup> CSC.&nbsp; &ldquo;In the next four years, we hope to more than double the number of young people working in corps across the country.&nbsp; These young people are the future champions of our wild places and will ensure the next 50 years of public lands conservation.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The June launch of the 50 conservation stewardship programs is part of Great Outdoors America Week, an annual event that draws hundreds of people and organizations to Washington to celebrate to our natural heritage and to advocate for preserving public lands and outdoor experiences for all Americans. &nbsp;The event will feature a hike in Washington, nature activities led by the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, a briefing on Capitol Hill about the effects of nature in healing veterans, and the screening of a film about the first African American team to attempt to reach the summit of Denali, North America&rsquo;s highest peak. &nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wilderness.org/"><em>The Wilderness Society</em></a><em> is working with the </em><a href="http://21csc.org/"><em>Partnership for the 21<sup>st</sup> Century Conservation Corps</em></a><em> (21CSC) to engage the corps across the U.S. to complete 50 conservation projects.&nbsp; The Wilderness Society is the leading wild public lands conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Founded in 1935, and now with more than 500,000 members and supporters, TWS has led the effort to permanently protect 110 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands.</em></p>
<p><em>21CSC is a national effort to put young Americans and veterans to work protecting, restoring and enhancing America&rsquo;s great outdoors.&nbsp; 21CSC participants work in cities and on public lands on programs that range from tree planting and trail building to wildland firefighting and disaster response. The program is operated through a public-private partnership between government, industry, non-profit and community organizations, including The Wilderness Society.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Contacts:</strong> &nbsp;Michael Carroll, The Wilderness Society, 970-946-9043, <a href="mailto:michael_carroll@tws.org">michael_carroll@tws.org</a></p>
<p>Michael Reinemer, The Wilderness Society, 202-429-3949, <a href="mailto:Michael_reinemer@tws.org">Michael_reinemer@tws.org</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_contact field-group-div group-contact speed-fast effect-none"><h2><span>Contact</span></h2><div class="field field-name-field-contact-name field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Michael Carroll</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-contact-phone field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">970-946-9043</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-contact-email field-type-email field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="mailto:michael_carroll@tws.org">michael_carroll@tws.org</a></div></div></div></div>Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:26:00 +0000Michael Reinemer108075 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/press-release/public-private-effort-launches-50-conservation-jobs-projects-youth-and-vets-honor-50th#commentsGreat Outdoors America Week, June 22-26, 2014http://wilderness.org/press-release/great-outdoors-america-week-june-22-26-2014
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-release-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-06-19T10:45:00-04:00">Jun 19, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Washington</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/GO%20Week%20logo.jpg" width="293" height="172" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Advocates and enthusiasts come to Washington to launch public-private jobs projects for youth and vets, attend briefings on the outdoors economy, diversity</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>Great Outdoors America Week draws people to Washington DC to celebrate our natural heritage and advocate for preserving public lands and outdoor experiences for all Americans. &nbsp;Events this year include a hike along the Anacostia RIverwalk led by Outdoor Afro, nature activities led by the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, briefings on Capitol Hill about using nature in healing veterans, engaging Latino youth and the outdoor recreation economy, and a screening of a film about the first African American team to attempt to reach the summit of Denali, North America&rsquo;s highest peak. &nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><u><strong><span style="text-align: center;">ACTIVITIES</span></strong></u></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong style="text-align: center;">Sunday, June 22<sup>nd</sup></strong></p>
<p><strong>Welcome Hike on the Anacostia Riverwalk with Outdoor Afro</strong> (9:00 AM)</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail serves as a backbone of the Anacostia Waterfront, connecting residents, visitors and communities to the river and most importantly, one another.&nbsp; It spans both east of the Anacostia through National Park Service&rsquo;s Anacostia Park, to the west through the newly renovated Navy Yards.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Once complete, the trail will allow seamless pedestrian and bicycle travel between the Tidal Basin in downtown DC and Bladensburg Marina Park in Maryland.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.outdoorafro.com/"><strong>Outdoor Afro</strong></a> is a national organization with the mission to reconnect African-Americans to nature.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.outdoorafro.com/">www.outdoorafro.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Anacostia Park, meet at the Skating Pavilion <a href="http://www.nps.gov/anac/planyourvisit/directions.htm">http://www.nps.gov/anac/planyourvisit/directions.htm</a></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-left:.25in;"><strong>Tuesday, June 24<sup>th</sup></strong></p>
<p><strong><u>Fifty Conservation Projects for the 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary</u></strong> (8:30 &ndash; 10:00 AM)</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>Event with Administration officials, conservation corps and The Wilderness Society to launch the <em>50 for the 50<sup>th</sup> Project</em> to celebrate the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The Wilderness Society and the Public Lands Service Coalition will honor America&rsquo;s wilderness and the efforts to protect wild places through 50 conservation service corps projects in 50 wild places across the country in the <strong><em>Fifty for the 50<sup>th</sup> project</em></strong>. See details at <a href="http://wilderness.org/fifty-50th">http://wilderness.org/fifty-50th</a>. &nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Breakfast: </strong>8:30 &ndash; 9:00 am</p>
<p><strong>Presentation</strong>: 9:00-10:00 am</p>
<p><strong>Location:&nbsp; </strong>The Wilderness Society; 1615 M Street NW, Washington DC; Ansel Adams Gallery;</p>
<p>Farragut North or Farragut West metro stops</p>
<p><strong>Speakers:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: rgb(40, 40, 40); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-indent: -24px;">Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, US Department of Agriculture</span></li>
<li>Michael Carroll, National Partnership Director, The Wilderness Society</li>
<li>Mary Ellen Sprenkel, Co-Chair of the Partnership for the 21CSC</li>
<li>Jono McKinney, Montana Conservation Corp</li>
<li>Michael Richter, Montana Conservation Corp</li>
<li>Anthony Ciacco, Conservation Legacy</li>
<li>Agnes Vianzon, California Conservation Corp</li>
<li>Priscilla Flores, California Conservation Corp</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><u>BRIEFING: Building the Next Generation of Diverse, Nature-Smart Leaders</u></strong> (12:00 &ndash; 1:30 pm)</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> Join The Natural Leaders Network in partnership with The REI Foundation, The Hispanic Access Foundation, The Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies and the Wilderness Society for an engaging conversation about the role of Latino youth in the future of the conservation and outdoor recreation, including existing legislative, nonprofit and federal agency programs.</p>
<p><strong>Location:&nbsp; </strong>Room SD-562 of the Senate Office Building</p>
<p><strong>Speakers:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Moderator: Ray Rivera, Vice President of Elected Leadership for Leadership for Educational Equity. Ray served in President Obama&rsquo;s Administration at the Obama-Biden Transition, Department of the Interior and at the White House where he directed multi-sector public engagement efforts as a senior executive political appointee</li>
<li>Honorable Patty Murray &ndash; United States Senator, Washington and</li>
<li>Honorable Ben Ray Lujan &ndash; United States Representative, New Mexico</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Panel:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Juan Martinez &ndash; Director, Natural Leaders Network, Board Member, Sierra Club Foundation</li>
<li>Maite Arce - Hispanic Access Foundation, President &amp; CEO</li>
<li>Marc Berejka &ndash; Recreation Equipment Inc, Foundation, President</li>
<li>Michael Casaus &ndash; The Wilderness Society, New Mexico Director</li>
<li>Dr. Brian Smedley &ndash; The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Vice President</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Refreshments:</strong> Lunch will be served</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><u>Film Screening of NOLS Expedition Denali: Inspiring Diversity in the Outdoors</u></strong> (Tuesday 5:00 pm&ndash;8:15 pm)</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>In June, 2013, nine remarkable mountaineers sought to make history and build a legacy. Join us for a presentation and screening of the feature-length film about NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) Expedition Denali, the first African American team to attempt to summit North America&rsquo;s tallest peak. Learn more about the expedition at&nbsp;<a href="http://expeditiondenali.nols.edu/">expeditiondenali.nols.edu</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Reception:</strong> With artisanal pizza and soft drinks: 5:00&ndash;6:00 pm</p>
<p><strong>Presentation/Film/Q&amp;A:</strong> 6:15&ndash;8:15 pm</p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Jefferson Auditorium, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W. , Washington, DC</p>
<p><strong>Contact:</strong> RSVP required, Kindly email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ExpDenali@nols.edu">ExpDenali@nols.edu</a></p>
<p><strong>Speakers:</strong> NOLS Expedition Denali Team Members, representatives of GirlTrek: Take a Walk, Join a Movement and City Kids Wilderness Project, and Distill Productions, LLC.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p align="center"><strong>Wednesday, June 25<sup>th</sup></strong></p>
<p><strong><u>Outdoors Alliance for Kids River and Outdoor Festival</u></strong> (9:00 am &ndash; Noon)</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>Description: Featuring Wilderness Inquiry&rsquo;s CanoeMobile and outdoor activity stations hosted by OAK member organizations. 100+ local youth will participate in nature-based activities on the water and on land.</p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD 20710</p>
<p><strong>Contact:&nbsp; </strong>Contact: <a href="mailto:jackie.ostfeld@sierraclub.org">jackie.ostfeld@sierraclub.org</a></p>
<p><strong>Press Event &ndash; 11:00 am </strong></p>
<p><strong>Speakers (Invited)</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Honorable Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell</li>
<li>Honorable Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency Gina McCarthy</li>
<li>Honorable Mayor Coleman, Minneapolis, MN</li>
<li>Honorable Assistant Secretary of the Army, Jo-Ellen Darcy</li>
<li>Jamie Williams, President, The Wilderness Society</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><u>BRIEFING:&nbsp; Renewable Energy and Conservation</u></strong> (10:00 &ndash; 11:00 AM)</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>In addition to iconic wild places and world-class outdoor recreation opportunities, our public lands provide wind, solar and geothermal resources that can help our country transition to a clean energy future.&nbsp; This briefing will cover the status of renewable energy development on public lands and opportunities where we can advance clean energy while investing in conservation and the outdoors, including the public lands Renewable Energy Development Act.</p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Longworth House Office 1732</p>
<p><strong>Speakers </strong>(Invited):</p>
<ul>
<li>Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA)</li>
<li>Juan DeLara &ndash; Salton Sea Action Committee</li>
<li>Eric Fitzer &ndash; Arizona Governor&rsquo;s Office of Energy Policy</li>
<li>Kyle Davis &ndash; Nevada Clean Energy Project</li>
<li>Chase Huntley &ndash; The Wilderness Society (Moderator)</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><u>BRIEFING: Outdoor Recreation Economy &amp; Public Lands Conservation</u></strong> (Wednesday, 12:30&ndash;1:30)</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> Outdoor recreation contributes $646 billion to the economy each year and supports 6 million jobs. Outdoor industry business leaders will speak about the between conservation and the outdoor recreation economy and why policymakers need to take action now to support of this vital part of the US economy.</p>
<p><strong>Note: </strong>Lunch will be provided</p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Russell Senate Office Building, Room 485</p>
<p><strong>Speakers </strong>(invited)<strong>:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Sen. Martin Heinrich (D- NM)</li>
<li>John Sterling, Executive Director, Conservation Alliance</li>
<li>Marc Berejka, Director &ndash; Government and Community Affairs, Recreation Equipment Inc.</li>
<li>Jessica Wahl, Recreation Policy Advisor, Outdoor Industry Association</li>
<li>Ashley Korenblat, Executive Director, Public Lands Solutions</li>
<li>Lucas Herndon, New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce/Friends of Organ Mountains</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><u>BRIEFING:</u></strong><strong><u> Veterans </u></strong><strong><u>Changing the Paradigm - The effects of nature and the healing of our veterans in the outdoors</u></strong> (1:30&ndash;2:30 pm)</p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>Sierra Club, Georgetown University and Outward Bound will announce a new effort to add an outdoor therapy component to the Veterans Administration&rsquo;s (VA) existing PTSD and TBI based treatment. The project, launching later this year, will develop recommendations for the VA to integrate outdoor therapy into their existing mental health treatment.</p>
<p><strong>Project Partners</strong>: Sierra Club Outdoors, Outward Bound, Project Rebirth, University of California Berkeley, Georgetown University</p>
<p><strong>Note: </strong>Beverages and Snacks will be served</p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Russell Senate Office Building, Room 485</p>
<p><strong>Speakers </strong>(invited)<strong>:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Mike Quigley, Arizona State Director, The Wilderness Society (Co-Founder Veterans Wilderness Writing Workshop)</li>
<li>Joshua Brandon and Stacy Bare, Sierra Club</li>
<li>University of California at Berkeley Professor (TBA)</li>
<li>Dr. Jennifer Woolard, Georgetown University</li>
<li>Helen Rafferty, Executive Director, Project Rebirth</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><u>GROUP PHOTO</u></strong> (4:00 &ndash; 5:00 PM)</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> Participants gather at Capitol for group photo memorializing the 4<sup>th</sup> annual GO America Week.</p>
<p><strong>Location</strong>: West steps of the Capitol.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>CONTACTS:</strong></p>
<p>Michael Carroll, The Wilderness Society, 970-946-9043, <a href="mailto:michael_carroll@tws.org">michael_carroll@tws.org</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_contact field-group-div group-contact speed-fast effect-none"><h2><span>Contact</span></h2><div class="field field-name-field-contact-name field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Michael Reinemer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-contact-phone field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">202-429-3949 or 703-966-9574</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-contact-email field-type-email field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="mailto:michael_reinemer@tws.org">michael_reinemer@tws.org</a></div></div></div></div>Thu, 19 Jun 2014 15:06:23 +0000Michael Reinemer108072 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/press-release/great-outdoors-america-week-june-22-26-2014#commentsVeterans Learn Writing Craft in Arizona Wildernesshttp://wilderness.org/press-release/veterans-learn-writing-craft-arizona-wilderness
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-release-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-04-09T14:45:00-04:00">Apr 9, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">TUCSON, ARIZONA</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Workshop allows time in quiet backcountry, connection with America’s wild legacy.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>This weekend, veterans from around the West will be visiting the rolling, boulder-strewn landscape of the Dragoon Mountains south of Tucson to participate in a writing workshop that will guide them on skills needed to create narratives of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry that is informed both by their service experiences and the natural environment. Set in the quiet surroundings of one of Arizona&rsquo;s most revered wild landscapes, the Veterans Wilderness Writing Workshop is led by five-war veteran Ron Capps, whose memoir Seriously Not Alright comes out in May and will be featured at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe this evening at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>The Veterans Wilderness Writing Retreat is a collaborative endeavor with The Wilderness Society and is structured to offer veterans, active and reserve service members, and military family members a life-enriching writing experience and an enduring connection to America&rsquo;s wild public lands, which offer valuable resources for personal reflection, spiritual renewal, and testing of our physical and emotional strength.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This year is the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, passed in 1964 to protect America&rsquo;s disappearing landscapes,&rdquo; says Mike Quigley, Arizona State Director for TWS based in Tucson. &ldquo;We&#39;ve heard from veterans that they fight for American principles; for our freedoms, way-of-life, ideals, and land. We&#39;ve heard from them that it&#39;s the memory of a favorite trout stream, a mountain summit, a desert hike that gives them comfort when deployed and helps them reconnect when they return. This workshop is a chance to tie together multiple narratives about why protecting wilderness is still so relevant today&mdash;especially to our service men and women.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Capps&rsquo; book details not only his role as peacekeeper in Rwanda, Iraq, and Kosovo and combat duty in Afghanistan, but his return home and recovery (still ongoing) from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and his subsequent career as a teacher and founder of the Veterans Writing Project in Washington, D.C., where he provides veterans with the skills to tell their own stories, and in his words, &quot;write their way home.&quot;</p>
<p>Veterans, especially combat vets, tend to become isolated when returning to civilian life and college, Capps says, adding that writing is a way for them to reintegrate. &quot;Because the military is all about team cohesion - it&#39;s the mission of the team that&#39;s the most important - and all of a sudden, you&#39;re by yourself,&quot; he says. &quot;You&#39;ve always had the platoon, the squad, your buddy, your wingman. In many cases, that person doesn&#39;t exist anymore at the university. So, we&#39;re trying to beat the sense of isolation.&quot;</p>
<p>Participants will be hiking, writing, and taking part in small breakout coaching sessions with Capps, where the rugged backdrop of the Dragoons will serve as a challenging yet peaceful setting for the workshop&rsquo;s reflective focus. Participants are attending from Arizona, California, Wyoming, Nevada, and from as far away as Iowa.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">###</p>
<p><em>The Wilderness Society is the leading wild public lands conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Founded in 1935, and now with more than 500,000 members and supporters, TWS has led the effort to permanently protect 110 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. <a href="http://www.wilderness.org">www.wilderness.org</a> &nbsp;</em></p>
<p><em>The Veterans Writing Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Washington DC founded by veterans and family members. We provide no-cost writing seminars and workshops for veterans, active and reserve service members, and military family members. <a href="http://www.VeteransWriting.org">www.VeteransWriting.org</a></em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_contact field-group-div group-contact speed-fast effect-none"><h2><span>Contact</span></h2><div class="field field-name-field-contact-name field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Mike Quigley</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-contact-phone field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">520-334-8741</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-contact-email field-type-email field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="mailto:mike_quigley@tws.org">mike_quigley@tws.org</a></div></div></div></div>Wed, 09 Apr 2014 18:50:59 +0000Michael Reinemer107974 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/press-release/veterans-learn-writing-craft-arizona-wilderness#commentsNearly 3 out of 4 county residents support New Mexico’s proposed Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monumenthttp://wilderness.org/blog/nearly-3-out-4-county-residents-support-new-mexico%E2%80%99s-proposed-organ-mountains-desert-peaks
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jan 28, 2014</div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/OrganMountainsWSA.NewMexico.BobWickBLM.flickr_0.jpg?itok=ge-KHB6j" width="500" height="334" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-media-description field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>The Organ Mountains Wilderness Study Area.&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-credit field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><em>Credit: flickr, Bob Wick (Bureau of Land Management).</em></p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">A new poll affirms the popularity of establishing a national monument in New Mexico’s Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks region.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>In the poll, which was commissioned by the veterans advocacy group Vet Voice Foundation, <a href="http://www.vetvoicefoundation.org/press?id=0059">nearly three out of four residents&nbsp;of Dona Ana County supported the establishment of a monument</a> to encompass the Potrillo, Sierra de Las Uvas and Robledo Mountain complexes and natural and cultural landmarks within them.</p>
<p>It is only the latest sign that protecting the crown jewel of the southern Rockies is important to New Mexicans. Recently, <a href="http://www.organmountains.org/news/diverse-coalition-praises-bill-that-would-preserve-southern-new-mexican-culture-boost-economy/">Senate legislation</a> was introduced to further the process, and <a href="http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_24987780/interior-secretary-tours-do-ana-county-natural-areas">Interior Secretary Sally Jewell toured the area</a> in late January and attended a public meeting in which a large crowd turned out in support of monument designation.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><a href="https://secure.wilderness.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=2643">New Mexico residents: thank Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich for leading the charge to protect this special area.</a></h2>
<p>In the past, veterans supporting monument designation have <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-starr/local-veterans-organ-mountains-desert-peaks_b_4563352.html">noted the abundance of military history sites</a> in the <a href="http://www.organmountains.org/news/diverse-coalition-praises-bill-that-would-preserve-southern-new-mexican-culture-boost-economy/">Organ Mountains region</a>. Additionally, the monument area would contain about 240,000 acres of protected wilderness. The greater monument area, nearly 500,000 acres, would also allow existing uses like motorized vehicle recreation and&nbsp;livestock grazing. Monument status would strengthen nearby Las Cruces&rsquo; standing as a travel destination, <a href="http://wilderness.org/node/107541">create jobs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://nmgreenchamber.com/?p=23323" target="_blank">economic prosperity</a>&nbsp;for the region, and preserve a unique piece of the Southwest&rsquo;s natural legacy for generations yet unborn.</p>
<h2><a href="http://wilderness.org/new-mexicos-proposed-organ-mountains-desert-peaks-national-monument-stunning">See more of the incredible Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks</a>.</h2>
<p><img alt="" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/9472457552_076625994c_z.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 360px;" /></p>
<p>Wildflowers near the Organ Mountains. <em>Credit: flickr, Bob Wick (Bureau of Land Management).</em></p>
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<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/stories-new-mexico"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/horsebacksilhouettes.longhorndave.jpg?itok=3rZ_Q4pa" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Hear stories of life in wild New Mexico</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New Mexico has some of the wildest public lands left in the west. For many local residents, these lands are part of their heritage and reflect a living history of their community.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/stories-new-mexico">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-1col article article-type-article article-promoted odd article-related-content view-mode-related_content clearfix ">
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/antiquities-act"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content/public/Liberty-statue-from-below.wikimedia.jpg?itok=vjveedz1" width="220" height="115" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-promo-item-teaser field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">How do iconic wildlands and historic sites become monuments?</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Can you imagine an America without the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty preserved as they are? If it weren’t for the Antiquities Act, places like these may never have been protected. </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-node-link field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article/antiquities-act">Read more</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tue, 28 Jan 2014 19:23:11 +0000Max Greenberg107767 at http://wilderness.orghttp://wilderness.org/blog/nearly-3-out-4-county-residents-support-new-mexico%E2%80%99s-proposed-organ-mountains-desert-peaks#commentsVeterans want to protect the public lands that help them healhttp://wilderness.org/blog/veterans-want-protect-public-lands-help-them-heal
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-post-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Nov 27, 2013</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/bios/staff/max-greenberg">Max Greenberg</a></div></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_image field-group-div group-image speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://wilderness.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_full/public/SanGabrielMountains.California.BennettStowe.flickr.jpg?itok=SyDOUltJ" width="500" height="334" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-video field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-media-description field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>California&#39;s San Gabriel Mountains, a conservation focus of veteran Jose Huante.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-credit field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><em>Photo: Rennett Stowe, flickr.</em></p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-headline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New polling shows that military veterans value the healing role of nature and strongly favor protecting public lands by designating them as national parks, monuments or wilderness.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>A<a href="http://www.vetvoicefoundation.org/press?id=0054" target="_blank"> recent survey conducted on behalf of the nonprofit Vet Voice Foundation</a> found that 75 percent of Western veterans who served in the U.S. military during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars favor the federal government protecting public lands by designating them as national parks, monuments or wilderness.</p>
<p>Given the value these veterans place on public lands, it is no surprise that 66 percent of those surveyed thought the government should take into account environmental impact when considering energy development leases on local recreation and wildlife habitat. Similarly, 80 percent supported the concept behind the <a href="/node/484" target="_blank">Land and Water Conservation Fund</a>, which uses fees from offshore energy development to preserve local and national parks and other places.</p>
<p>Though veterans are not always included in the conversation about protecting American public lands, their affinity for nature makes perfect sense; the outdoors act as refuge and emotional balm in troubling times. It is no surprise that our men and women in uniform feel they have a stake in protecting it.</p>
<h2>Using nature to &quot;walk off the war&quot;</h2>
<p>Wild places are therapeutic for just about anyone, but people returning from war are especially susceptible to some conditions that nature is well-suited to treat. Notably, research suggests that <a href="/node/107002" target="_blank">outdoor recreation may augment treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder</a>, a condition that affects 10 to 30 percent of veterans.</p>
<p>Understanding this, veterans have been using nature to cope for generations:<a href="http://www.earlshaffer.com/index2.html" target="_blank"> Earl Shaffer</a>, a veteran of World War II&rsquo;s Pacific Theater, famously decided to <a href="http://www.theadventurepost.com/all-posts/more-outdoor-programs-are-helping-wounded-veterans-heal/"> &ldquo;walk off the war&rdquo;</a> in the late 1940s and became the first person to &quot;thru-hike&quot; the entire Appalachian Trail in one shot. More recently, the Wounded Warrior Project&#39;s <a href="http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/combat-stress-recovery-program/project-odyssey.aspx">Project Odyssey</a> was launched to help veterans overcome combat stress through outdoor retreats that encourage a connection with nature, and the Vet Voice Foundation, which sponsored the recent poll, also engages veterans in such efforts. Similar programs are increasingly used to help <a href="http://blog.childrenandnature.org/2013/11/11/coming-home-how-nature-programs-offer-peace-healing-to-veterans-and-families/">ease the burden on veterans&rsquo; children and families, too</a>.</p>
<p>According to Michael Carroll, an associate director with the Wilderness Society, nature&rsquo;s role in the lives of veterans is not merely supplemental; rather, it can be vitally important. &ldquo;For many of our veterans, Americas public lands are part of why they served and part of their recovery,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Having a place where our returning vets can get outside, explore and enjoy with their friends and families is critical.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Jose Huante, 72, a resident of El Monte, CA, appreciates the value of wild places for veterans and non-veterans alike. He has been involved in the military for nearly 50 years, including wartime service as a truck driver in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. Now he volunteers with groups like the Wilderness Society, the Sierra Club and Amigos de los Rios, working to preserve southern California&rsquo;s <a href="/node/536">San Gabriel Mountains</a>.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Being part of these organizations has made me realize the need for veterans to seek and find a place of peace and beauty--and our San Gabriel Mountains are that,&rdquo; Huante said. &ldquo;But we must work toward protecting them, now and for the future. On our mountain trails, strangers talk to one another and smile freely. It&rsquo;s a good feeling. I think our war heroes deserve that kind of tranquility and security.&rdquo;</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/11088694484_4a33f482e9_b.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 374px;" /></p>
<p>Jose Huante and his wife, Maria. <em>Photo: Annette Kondo.</em></p>
<p>While Huante appreciates the unique restorative power of nature for veterans, he hopes others in the community at-large will follow their lead in conserving wild places. &ldquo;The rest of our community must commit to be stewards of that environment for the good of all of our lives,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>The specific form of that life-enriching good may vary, but nature&rsquo;s simplest joys often require little deliberation. &ldquo;In my case, a good place to be is on a trail, or up a hill or in the shade of a tree,&rdquo; Huante said. &ldquo;Just watching a squirrel go up a trail brightens up your mood.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Returning the favor</h2>
<p>While members of our national military family value the nature in their midst, and for good reason, that affection is neither static nor unreciprocated. The armed forces have an active and mutually beneficial relationship with our wild public lands.</p>
<p>In Arizona, this symbiosis is especially clear. Within the state&rsquo;s Sonoran Desert, <a href="http://www.sonoranheritage.org/news/releases/legislation_preserve_sonoran_desert_and_protect_arizona%E2%80%99s_military_installations">proposed National Conservation Areas (themselves encompassing protected Wilderness Areas)</a> could benefit the Luke Air Force Base, Barry Goldwater Range and other military installations, as well as crucial habitat for wildlife, which includes bighorn sheep, Gila monsters, bobcats and mountain lions. The legislation would create two Special Management Areas to preserve wildlife corridors identified through&nbsp;<a href="http://www.azdot.gov/inside_adot/OES/AZ_WildLife_Linkages/assessment.asp">Arizona&rsquo;s Wildlife Linkages Assessment</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Sometimes protected species are forced into areas that contain military facilities as a &quot;last refuge.&quot; This can interfere with training and other military duties unless<a href="http://www.azwild.org/resources/documents/Strategies_Protect_Arizonas_Military_Economy_Maricopa_SI_AWC_Final_002.pdf"> another area is provided to connect facilities with viable habitat</a>. The newly-designated areas under the Arizona Sonoran Desert Heritage Act would provide a linkage with the Sonoran Desert National Monument and Gila Bend Mountains, which contain similar habitat. This should keep species from being stranded in military installations, and give those installations more regulatory certainty moving forward. In the case of Luke Air Force Base, it will also mean clear airspace for fighter training. Recognizing these links, military groups have <a href="/node/107269">voiced their support for the Sonoran Desert plan</a>.</p>
<p>In California, new plans would improve protections for about 1.6 million acres of <a href="/node/537">public desert land</a>,&nbsp;including adding and expanding designated wilderness areas. Among proposed additions: habitat <a href="http://www.californiadesert.org/docs/CA_Desert_Protection_Act_Map_08-2013.pdf">bridges between Joshua Tree National Park and the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area</a> and Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Some of the newly protected areas would be adjacent to Edwards Air Force Base and other military facilities in the region, similarly bridging the gap between important pieces of habitat and preventing &ldquo;last refuge&rdquo; scenarios.</p>
<p>At times, the needs of nature and military posterity intersect in unexpected ways. In 2012, <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/20/presidential-proclamation-establishment-fort-ord-national-monument">President Barack Obama</a> used the Antiquities Act for the second time to <a href="/node/1248">make California&rsquo;s Fort Ord a national monument</a>, recognizing both its history as a training facility from World War I on and the area&rsquo;s <a href="/node/2102">expanses of coastal oak woodlands, marine chaparral, scenic grasslands and ephemeral pools</a>.</p>
<p>The shared interests of the armed forces and the outdoors are not always this clear, but that is partly because we civilians have not paid close enough attention. As the recent polling attests, the connection is real and crucial.</p>
<p>Wilderness and other wild lands serve as a sanctuary from the pressures of day-to-day life; when these pressures involve spending extended time away from family, often while working under dangerous conditions, the need for such a resource is especially acute, as is the imperative to protect it. We must maintain those places for veterans now and in the future.</p>
<h2><a href="https://secure.wilderness.org/site/Donation2?8280.donation=form1&amp;idb=621578847&amp;df_id=8280&amp;amp;8280.donation=root&amp;amp;DONATION_LEVEL_ID_SELECTED=1&amp;amp;df_id=8280" target="_blank">Help us protect American wilderness.</a></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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